Fitting to plug an exposed deep sea pipe

Abstract

The present invention comprises a fitting that is inserted into an exposed pipe in a deep sea by a submersible robot. The robot rotates a bolt which in turn rotates a gear wheel. When said gear wheel is rotated, it will rotate two diametrically opposite drill bits. A spring is placed between the drill bits so that said spring pushes the drill bits toward the inside bore of said exposed pipe. The two diametrically opposite drill bits drill and attach themselves to the inside bore of said exposed pipe. After the drill bits have been attached to the inside bore of said exposed pipe, said robot shall turn two bolts (hereinafter called A and B) which will in turn push a plug towards the exposed pipe. The plug is made of soft but durable material. When the robot tightens said two bolts A and B, the plug will stop any leakage of oil from the exposed pipe. In the preferred embodiment, said plug is made of an elastomer, such as rubber or neoprene.

1. A fitting to plug an exposed deep sea pipe comprising:
 a. a drive shaft that has a bolt head at one end and a pinion gear at the other end; 
 b. a gear wheel connected to a base plate; 
 c. said pinion gear engages with said gear wheel such that as said bolt head is rotated, said gear wheel rotates two diametrically opposite gears; 
 d. said two diametrically opposite gears are each connected to a drill bit at its other end; 
 e. a spring in between the two said diametrically opposite gears; 
 f. said bolt head is rotated so that said drill bits drill into the inside bore of an exposed pipe; 
 g. said drive shaft passes through a plug; 
 h. means to push said plug along said drive shaft to plug said exposed pipe. 
 
     
     
       2. The plug of  claim 1  wherein said means to push said plug along said drive shaft comprises rotating a threaded bolt in a member fixed to said base plate. 
     
     
       3. The plug of  claim 1  wherein said plug is tapered. 
     
     
       4. The plug of  claim 1  wherein said plug is made of an elastomer. 
     
     
       5. The plug of  claim 1  wherein a rigid plate is placed next to said plug in a position away from said exposed pipe. 
     
     
       6. The drive shaft of  claim 1  wherein said drive shaft has a screw head at one end. 
     
     
       7. The drive shaft of  claim 1  wherein said drive shaft has a head made to fit an Allen key. 
     
     
       8. A fitting to plug an exposed deep sea pipe comprising:
 a. a gear wheel; 
 b. a base plate connected to said gear wheel; 
 c. two diametrically opposite gears that engages the teeth of said gear wheel; 
 d. said two diametrically opposite gears are each connected to a drill bit at its other end; 
 e. a spring in between two said diametrically opposite gears; 
 f. a plug connected to said base plate; 
 g. means to rotate said gear wheel so that said drill bits drill into the inside bore of an exposed pipe; 
 h. means to push said plug to plug said exposed pipe. 
 
     
     
       9. The plug of  claim 8  wherein said means to push said plug to plug said exposed pipe comprises rotating a threaded bolt in a member fixed to said base plate. 
     
     
       10. The plug of  claim 8  wherein said plug is tapered. 
     
     
       11. The plug of  claim 8  wherein said plug is made of an elastomer. 
     
     
       12. The plug of  claim 8  wherein a rigid plate is placed next to said plug in a position away from said exposed pipe.